The crisp afternoon air is flowing.

It is blended with the sound waves of laughter

Coming from the kids who can finally play outside again.

The setting sun traces the scenery with its colored light.

The walking dogs on every sidewalk,

barking at each other from across the street.

My own dog is one of them,

Just so happy to be outside again.

He pulls the leash as he races

to rediscover the old scents.

The sun travels closer to the horizon.

The pinks of the sky stretch even further.

The echoes of the kids playing and barking dogs 

Fades as the night goes on.

The air cools.

The sounds fade until the light breeze,

and our own footsteps,

Is all that remains.

We turn around to head back home.